DA: More arrests soon in UNC agent case

Three people have been arrested so far, including Georgia-based sports agent Terry S. Watson, who faces 14 felony charges. Two more people have been charged by a grand jury, but those indictments are sealed. Prosecutor Jim Woodall says those final two cases should be public by next week at the latest.

Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall said Tuesday he expects arrests soon of two more people in the agent probe at UNC-Chapel Hill.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s later this week,” Woodall said in an interview. “If not this week, then next. I’m pretty confident of that.”

Three people have been arrested so far, including Georgia-based sports agent Terry S. Watson, who faces 14 felony charges.

Two more people have been charged by a grand jury, but those indictments are sealed.

The lead investigative agency, the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office, has alleged that Watson and others provided money, trips and other things of value to multiple football players at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2010. Court documents indicate that benefits went to players at other schools, too.

The NCAA has already sanctioned UNC for impermissible benefits going to amateur players.

Search warrant applications filed by Secretary of State investigator A.H. Jones allege probable cause that Willie Barley of Miami, identified in the court papers as a “runner for Terry Watson,” violated the agent law.

Affidavits sworn by the investigator in January say there is cause to believe that Barley failed to register with the state and initiating contact with athletes without being registered. Attempts to reach Barley have failed.

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